Intelligent decorative displays with ambient electromagnetic field switching

ABSTRACT

A system and method of controlling self powered decorative devices using EMF emanating from, for example, a light string on a Christmas tree. The decorative devices sense the presence of EFM from the light string and actuate in response thereto and turn off when the field disappears, thereby saving energy. In an alternate embodiment, the EMF source is capable of modulation and the slave decorations are coded and tuned to specific EMF characteristics, such as frequency. The master EMF source transmits the EMF of different characteristic thereby causing the coded slave decorations to operate in a synchronized matter. The system may also be responsive to music or other inputs to create special decorative effects.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 60/933,571 filed 7 Jun. 2007, which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates generally to decorative displays, and moreparticularly, to decorative displays incorporating ambientelectromagnetic field switching and selectively responsive decorations.

BACKGROUND

Traditional decorative items displayed during holiday seasons includelights, ornaments, figurines, and other displays. Some decorative itemsof this type require a power source and electrical circuitry to provideillumination, motion, sound, and so on. For example, most decorativelight strings adorning Christmas trees are powered by plugging the lightstring directly into an alternating current (AC) source provided by anadjacent light string, a switched outlet, or some other nearby AC powersupply.

Alternatively, ornaments and some tree top lights placed on a Christmastree may utilize a direct current (DC) power source such as a battery orother self contained/self powered system which does not require powerfrom the AC/electrical network. The DC power source may be used to powera light source, rotate a motor shaft, play a recording, or perform someother function requiring electrical energy. For example, a tree topdecoration placed at the pinnacle of a Christmas tree may be lit with aseries of incandescent lights or light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Ornamentshung on a Christmas tree may spin in circles or move up and down, whenpower is switched on. Individual figures displayed on a table top maysimilarly move, “speak”, or be lit using battery power. For suchdevices, the use of batteries as the source of DC power eliminates theneed for bulky power cords, removes constraints on item location, andincreases overall safety.

Despite the advantages of using DC power to power decorative displays,certain drawbacks exist. For example, when the number ofbattery-operated items displayed becomes large, manually switching eachbattery-operated device on and off becomes time-consuming and maydisrupt the arrangement of the display. This becomes especially truewhen multiple battery-operated ornaments are displayed on a tree, ormultiple figurines displayed on a table-top. Similarly, some decorativedisplays may not be within easy reach of the user, such as a lightedtree top display placed on the top of a tall tree, or an ornament placedat an inconvenient location on a tree. In addition to the inconvenienceof having to manually switch display items on and off, items may becomebroken in the process due to repetitive handling, or may never be turnedoff, thereby wasting energy. With battery operated devices, energyconservation is a necessity. Thus is would be desirable to be able toturn on/off such devices remotely and to further intelligently controltheir actuation to create interesting effects.

Some prior inventions have attempted to address some aspects of theseproblems through the use of electromagnetic field (EMF) generation.Generally speaking, when an AC current flows through a conductor, anelectromagnetic field is generated. The electromagnetic field comprisesa magnetic and an electric field. An antenna 28 place near the source ofthe EMF will receive the EMF signal and a voltage and current generatedat the antenna.

In one prior example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,196, issued to Ault et al.,discloses a system that uses an AC-powered EMF generator to transmitoscillating radio-frequency EMF through a Christmas tree. In anotherexample, U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,658 also employs a powerful EMF generatorto provide oscillating power to light-emitting elements.

Such prior inventions directly power the targeted decorative items withthe emitted oscillating EMF, which means that the power to thedecorative item fluctuates with the frequency and amplitude of the EMFsignal. Generally, this creates a flickering effect, which may not bedesirable. Furthermore, a pinpoint source of EMF is prone tointerference, with items further from the source operating lessconsistently. Other issues of concern include EMF exposure, spaceconsumption, aesthetic appeal, and so on. As such, these types ofsystems have not been commercially popular.

At least one prior invention has tried to capture the use of ambient EMFgenerated by nearby AC powered devices to power a string of animatedornaments. U.S. Pat. No. 5,317,238, issued to Schaedel, discloses aseries of ornaments wired together and powered by a DC source. TheSchaedel invention uses EMF to light LEDs within the ornaments. Thedevice in Schaedel relies on, and is limited to using CMOS counters todetect EMF and power LEDs in a rotating sequence to create anoscillating effect. Although this type of invention attempts to takeadvantage of ambient EMF generated by nearby devices, it still fails toaddress all of the problems previously discussed.

As such, there exists a need in the industry for decorative displaysthat can solve the problems described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of one embodiment of the present inventionillustrating a Christmas tree incorporating AC-powered light strings inthe power-off state, and an EMF-switched ornament.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of one embodiment of the present inventionillustrating a Christmas tree incorporating AC-powered light strings inthe power-on state, and an EMF-switched ornament.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of one embodiment of the present inventionillustrating a Christmas tree incorporating AC-powered light strings inthe power-off state, and an EMF-switched lighted tree-top decoration.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of one embodiment of the present inventionillustrating a table-top display incorporating an AC-powered light, andEMF-switched display pieces.

FIG. 5 is a sensing and switching circuit diagram of one embodiment ofthe present invention utilizing a microcontroller.

FIG. 6 is a sensing and switching circuit diagram of one embodiment ofthe present invention utilizing an operational amplifier.

FIG. 7 is a sensing and switching circuit diagram of one embodiment ofthe present invention utilizing a voltage comparator.

FIG. 8 is a sensing and switching circuit diagram of one embodiment ofthe present invention utilizing a field effect transistor.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternativeforms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in thedrawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood,however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to theparticular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1, aChristmas tree 10 is decorated with one or more alternating current (AC)powered light strings 12 and one or more EMF-switched decorativedisplays 14. It is understood that the term “decorative displays” or“decorations” should be taken broadly to any remotely controllableelement which may or may not be decorative. It can for example be purelyfunctional and/or decorative. The term EMF switched is likewise to betaken as a broad term. Switched or actuated includeson/off/pulsation/twinkle/modulation and any other operating/actuationevent Light string 12 includes light sources 16, intermediate conductors18, power cord 20, and power plug 22. The term “light string” shouldalso be taken broadly as a wire or other filament thru which electricityflows thereby creating EMF (and electromagnetic field) therearound. Forexample, any circuit, whether having illumination or now will provideEMF. Furthermore, there are other forms of EMF generators which are notlong string filaments, including for example an antenna. Light string 12is powered by AC power source 24, though in FIG. 1, the power to lightstring 12 is off. In one embodiment, AC power source 24 delivers 120V ACvia a household power outlet, though power source 24 may be any suitableAC power source capable of delivering the power required by lightstrings 12.

EMF-switched decorative display 14 includes a housing 26, antenna 28,EMF-switching circuit 30, electrical display component 32, and optionalhook 34.

Housing 26 may be made of plastic, metal, glass, ceramic, wood, or anyother material suitable to decorative displays. As depicted in FIG. 1,housing 26 is in the shape of a bulb-shaped ornament, though housing 26could take any number of decorative shapes and forms.

In one embodiment, antenna 28 is a length of conductive material, suchas a metal wire, though in other embodiments, antenna 28 may be made ofother materials capable of receiving an EMF signal.

Circuit 30 may be comprised of a number of circuit components adapted toreceive an EMF signal and provide DC power to electrical displaycomponent 32. Circuit 30 is described in further detail below withreference to FIGS. 5-8.

Electric display component 32 in one embodiment may be an incandescentlight source. In other embodiments, electric display component 32 may bea light-emitting diode, electric motor, sound chip, or other electricalcomponent. Additionally, electrical display component 32 may be acombination of two or more such electrical components.

Optional hook 34 in one embodiment may resemble a curved metallic orplastic hook intended to secure EMF-switched decorative display 14 totree 10. In some embodiments, hook 34 is not included, and antenna 28may be used to secure decorative display 14 to tree 10.

Referring now to FIG. 2, when AC power source 24 is connected to lightstrings 12 and switched on so as to deliver power, AC current flowsthrough power plug 22, power cord 20, intermediate conductors 18, andlight sources 16. As depicted, this causes light sources 16 of lightstrings 12 to illuminate. At the same time, the movement of electronsgenerates an electromagnetic field (EMF). As the EMF varies with the ACcurrent flow, an electric field is created. The EMF, including theelectric field is depicted generally in FIG. 2 by arrows 36.

EMF-switched decorative display 26, located in the vicinity of lightstrings 12, detects the electromagnetic field generated by light strings12 with antenna 28. Antenna 28 converts the received electromagneticwaves of the EMF, converting them to a voltage and current at circuit30. Upon detecting the EMF and changing electric field through antenna28, circuit 30 acts as a switch, allowing a DC power source to providepower to electrical display component 32. In one embodiment, when theEMF is removed, circuit 30 interrupts power to electrical displaycomponent 32.

Referring now to FIG. 3, in another embodiment, the EMF-switcheddecorative display is an EMF-switched lighted tree top 14 a with ahousing 38 in the shape of a star. Similar to the previously describeddecorative displays 14, EMF-switched lighted tree top 14 a also includesan antenna 28, circuit 30, and electrical display component 32. In thisembodiment, electrical display component 32 is a light source.

Referring now to FIG. 4, in yet another embodiment, the presentinvention includes a series of figurines 14 b in the proximity of acentral EMF-emitting source 40. In this embodiment, Central EMF-emittingsource 40 is connected to an AC power source 24 which provides power toan electrical device 42 located within central EMF-emitting source 40.In one embodiment, electrical device 42 may be an incandescent bulb thatilluminates central EMF-emitting source 40. For example, as depicted inFIG. 4, source 40 may be in the shape of a building such as a church,and electrical device 42 is an incandescent bulb that lights up thewindows of the church.

The AC current flowing to electrical device 42 induces an EMF that isreceived at antenna 28 of figurines 14 b, a circuit 30 allows a DC powersource to power an electrical display component 32, in the manner aspreviously described.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, any number of EMF-switched decorative displays14 may be used together with a single EMF source. The distance thatdecorative displays 14 may be placed away from an EMF source varies withthe amount of current flowing and the particular sensitivity of circuit30. In one embodiment, a 100 mA light string 12 includes fifty lightsources and is capable of switching multiple decorative displays 14 atdistances of one foot or more.

Referring now to FIG. 5, circuit 30 includes antenna 28, diodes 42, DCpower supply 44, and microcontroller 46. In one embodiment, the anodeside of diode D1 is electrically connected to ground, while the cathodeend of D1 is electrically connected to the anode side of diode D2. Oneend of antenna 28 is electrically connected to the cathode end of diodeD1 and the anode end of diode D2. As antenna 28 receives emitted EMF, anAC current is generated by the electric field present in the EMF, whichis rectified by diodes D1 and D2. A resulting DC voltage is present at asensing input 48 of microcontroller 46.

Microcontroller 46 is powered by DC source 44. In one embodiment, DCsource 44 is a battery that provides a DC voltage appropriate foroperating microcontroller 46. When the rectified voltage is received atsensing input 48 of microcontroller 46, in one embodiment,microcontroller 46 provides DC power at output Vout. In anotherembodiment, when microcontroller 46 receives the rectified voltage,microcontroller 46 executes its stored program, which may includeproviding DC power at output Vout. In turn, Vout provides power toelectrical display component 32.

In one embodiment, when sensing input 48 stops receiving an inputvoltage, microcontroller 44, Vout is open, grounded, or negative. Inanother embodiment, when sensing input 48 stops receiving an inputvoltage, microcontroller 46 latches Vout to remain positive for a periodof time. In some embodiments, microcontroller 46 controls power to theLEDs regardless of the presence or absence of EMF.

In another embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 6, circuit 30 a includesrectifying diodes D1 and D2, antenna 28, shunting capacitor C1,resistors R1 through R4, and operational amplifier (“op amp”) 50. Theanode side of diode D1 is electrically connected to ground, while thecathode end of D1 is electrically connected to the anode side of diodeD2. A first end of antenna 28 is electrically connected to the cathodeend of diode D1 and the anode end of diode D2. A first side of capacitorC1 is connected to the cathode end of diode D2 and a first end of R1. Asecond side of capacitor C1 is grounded. A second end of resistor R1 isconnected to a first end of resistor R2 to form a series connection. Thesecond end of resistor R1 and the first end of resistor R2 are alsoelectrically connected to the positive input of op amp 50, therebyforming a voltage divider. The negative input to op amp 50 is connectedto a first end of resistor R3, while the second end of R3 is grounded.Op amp 50 is provided with positive DC voltage from DC power source 44,while the reverse or negative DC voltage is supplied by DC power source44 at the negative power input of op amp 50. The output of op amp 50 isconnected to a first end of current limiting resistor R4. Vout isavailable at the second end of resistor R4.

In operation, when antenna 28 is not receiving an EMF signal, no voltageis sensed at the positive input to op amp 50, and the output of op amp50 floats, or Vout is zero.

When antenna 28 receives emitted EMF, an AC current is generated by theelectric field present in the EMF, which is rectified by diodes D1 andD2. Capacitor C1 and the combination of resistors R1 and R2 form an RCfilter to remove unwanted noise. The values of R1 and R2 are selected toact as an appropriate voltage divider in order to reduce the generatedvoltage to one appropriate for the positive input of op amp 50.Adjusting the voltage divider effectively changes the sensitivity of theswitching function of circuit 30 a. Sensing this positive voltage thatis greater than the negative input, the output of op amp 50 goes “high”and power is available at Vout via current limiting resistor R4.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the embodiment depicted as circuit 30 b isnearly identical in composition and operation as compared to circuit 30of FIG. 6, with the exception that op amp 50 is replaced with voltagecomparator 52.

Referring to FIG. 8, circuit 30 c includes antenna 28, current limitingresistor R5, capacitor C2, and field-emitting transistor (FET) 54. Thisembodiment takes advantage of the sensitivity of FET devices, and whenan EMF-induced voltage is applied to the gate of FET 54, Vout providespower to electrical display element 32.

In addition to on/off switching/actuation of decorations, it is possibleto create an intelligent system for example of a light string 12 and aplurality of independently actuatable decorations which operate inpredetermined patterns in response to or the lack of EMF in the tunedfield of the EMF receiver which is preferably independently powered,such as by batteries.

An intelligent light string/decoration combination can be used tospecifically address each decoration or groups of similarly codeddecorations allowing the user to actuate according to a predeterminedpattern, a decoration or groups thereof in a specific pattern orsynchronization. The pattern could be as simple as on/off in response tothe tuned EMF signal, or more sophisticated modes such asflash/twinkle/modulated etc in response to EMF. In response to a lack ofEMF, the response could be simply off, but it could also be any othermodulation including for example a “sleep” mode of flashes separated bylong sleep (off) interval (for example off for periods equal to orgreater than 1, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 120, 240 seconds) of quiescence, tosave battery power. Diode lighting is very efficient and such sporadicflashes could be very interesting for a night environment where thelight string is off and ambient light is minimal.

To accomplish this, the circuitry already disclosed may be used butmodified as follows:

The first described circuitry merely senses EFM and turns the decorationon or off. The enhanced circuitry includes a tuned band pass filter suchas that shown in FIG. 6 (using an RC circuit) to detect bands of EMFfrequencies or other modulations. More sophisticated filters may be usedand many are known in the art and available off the shelf which areactive or passive band pass filters.

Each decoration 16 can be independently coded to be responsive to aspecific allowed frequency range or more likely the system could have arange of coded products. For example letter codes A, B, C and D coulddesignate specific frequency responsive filters within the decorationand the decoration could also include a switch to select the letter codeof interest.

The light string 12, would further include frequency selectable EMFgenerator, that is, a modulated EMF signal of various selectedfrequencies can be generated and piggy backed on the light string 12. Ineffect, the string is used as an antenna to carry a simple modulation orcoding of EMF signals to which the EMF coded decorations can respond ina predetermined way.

The light string would thus have an EMF generator which is preferablypowered by the AC source and could be built into the plug 22 (such as ina well known transform plug combination box).

For example if a 120 hz (designated Code A) modulated EMF wave is issuedby the generator and the decoration 16 having a tuned receiver orbandpass filter will detect the Code A signal and process it. Thetrigger/action which is taken by the decoration can varied, includingon/off, twinkle, etc. If for example, all red light decorations arecoded A, they will respond simultaneously to a Code A signal from thegenerator. This will result in synchronization of colors.

In addition to an EMF generator associated with the light string 12, oneor more of the decorations themselves, or (non ornamental) device canfunction as a “master” controller where wherein the remainingdecorations are responsive slaves. In such a system, the master deviceinserts an EMF modulated signal such as a pulse (width or frequency) onthe carrier light string wire, which is then detected by the remainingslaves. The slave circuitry is modified to be responsive to particularEMF characteristic, such as frequency ranges, pulse width or othermodulation. This can be accomplished by means know to a person skilledin the art, such as tuning the R-C network shown in FIG. 7 to beoptimized to particular frequency ranges.

The master could be an enhanced slave with the additional EMF generatingcapability but a preferred solution would be to build the master intothe light set 12 itself, so that there is an unlimited source of energyand the light string 12 provides an in-place transmitting antenna.

The EMF generator, preferably microprocessor controlled could be builtinto the AC plug or elsewhere, and produce a wide range of EMFfrequencies/pulse width and other modulations, on top of the carriervoltage illuminating the bulbs. If the frequencies are high enough, thebulb illumination in the light strings will be unaffected by the EMFmodulation or at least the human eye will not be able to detect thesehigh frequency modulations over the 50 or 60 hertz carrier.

The result of this combination (EMF generator and slave decorations) thelight string becomes an intelligent or smart controller of EMFresponsive devices.

The EMF generator could likewise include a microprocessor responsive tosoftware, such as on an SD memory card or other memory source whichgenerated flashing patterns in the slaves in accordance with the user'sdesire, such as responsive to music, either contained on the chip withmusic or a sound detector capable of detecting ambient (background)sounds or music or other detector attached to the EMF generator.

An example of such a system would be as follows. The EMF generator isbuilt into the AC plug 22 and has a microphone built therein as well asan SD card slot for reading data (typically music) and an output jackfor connecting to an audio amplifier system or having an RF modulatorfor transmission to a nearby radio or other retransmission system. Thegenerator is programmable to issue on/off/twinkle instructions of eachof the slave decoration groups which are programmable coded A, B, C, D.Programming could be predetermined or field programmable, such as thru aPC.

The decorations also switchably coded A, B, C, D are responsive tomodulation/fields generated by the generator and respond by turning thedecoration on/off/twinkle etc. The user can create various pattern oflight by coding the slave decorations as desired.

In the music mode, the generator can detect ambient music and flash thecoded decorations in a predetermined pattern, for exampled by dividingthe music spectrum into bands and assigning triggers ABCD to differentbands. An alternative would be division by amplitude. The slavedecorations would then respond musically.

The decorations could also respond to background talking and mimic thetalking patterns by flashing/flickering/twinkling/glowing in response tothe voice patterns and frequencies of the people talking with frequencyresponses assigned to the ABCD codes.

The SD memory card could like wise contain music which would be parsedby frequency, amplitude, etc, and transmitted in ABCD coding to thedecorations for illumination response. The sound signal could bedetected by the RF generator and then broadcast audibly over a nearbyradio. Likewise, the generator could have alternative inputs for othersignals, such as a radio, or contain a radio receiver contained therein.

1. A system for remotely controlling the actuation of battery operateddecoration which is proximate a master source of EMF energy, such as alight string, comprising: a. a decorative element having an integralpower supply, b. an EMF receiver powered by said power supply, c. anantenna capable of receiving EMF energy; d. a detector response to EMFenergy; and e. a switch operated by said detector which actuates theelement when EMF energy detected by said receiver is present anddeactivates said element when not present.
 2. The system of claim 1wherein said detector includes a rectifier circuit coupled to a bandpassfilter.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein said detector includes a tunedR-C network.
 4. An illumination system for an ornament having aswitchable source of EMF energy running therethrough and emitting EMFenergy, comprising a. at least one illuminated decorative elementshaving an integral power supply, b. an EMF receiver powered by saidpower supply and integral to said element, c. an antenna for receivingEMF energy; d. a tuned detector turned to be responsive to the EMFenergy emitted by said ornament, and e. a switch operated by saiddetector which operates the actuation of the ornament in response toEMF.
 5. A intelligent control system for remotely controlling theswitching of at plurality of slave decorations by a master sourcegenerator of EMF energy, comprising a. a plurality of decorative selfpowered elements, b. an EMF receiver associated with each element andreceiving power therefrom, c. an antenna capable of receiving EMFenergy; d. a tuned detector response to EMF energy of a predeterminedcharacteristic; and e. a switch operated by said detector which operatesthe element in a predetermined pattern when EMF energy of said desiredcharacteristic is detected by said receiver and operates the element ina second predetermined pattern when not present.
 6. The system of claim5 wherein one of said predetermined patterns is a sleep mode, whereinsaid receiver is flash actuated periodically and then returns to an offmode.
 7. The system of claim 5 wherein said plurality of slavedecorations each include a selection of switchable EMF frequencyresponsive filters allowing the user to select which EMF frequency theelement will be response to and wherein the source generator includes aplurality of EMF transmission frequencies matched to the selection ofslave frequencies.
 8. The system of claim 5 wherein said plurality ofslave decorations each include a selection of switchable EMF frequencyresponsive filters allowing the user to select which EMF modulations theelement will be response to and wherein the source generator includes aplurality of EMF transmission modulations matched to the selection ofslave modulations.
 9. A system of improved EMF responsive decorativelighting having a source of EMF and a plurality of illuminated slavedecorative elements having self contained power supplies, theimprovement comprising: a. the EMF source including the capability ofgenerating a plurality of coded EMF signals b. the slave elementsincluding a coded receiver capable of selectively receiving a pluralityof EMF signals from the source.
 10. The system of claim 9 wherein saidslave elements including switchable tuning capable of receiving at leastsome of said coded EMF signals.
 11. A method of wirelessly controllingindividual lighting elements of an ornamental fixture having a lightstring threaded through the fixture comprising a. detecting EMFgenerated by the light string, b. actuating the lighting elements whenan EMF is present proximate the light string, c. deactivating thelighting elements when the EMF is no longer present, so that energyneeded for the lighting element is preserved when the light string is nolonger illuminated.